Essential Guide to Pop Up Campers.

You are itching to take your family out on the road, but you do not want to invest in a $20,000 plus RV.  That said, you also do not want to endure the privations and frustrations of setting up a tent in the middle of the wilderness.  One way to slice the difference is to get involved in pop up camping.  A pop up is a lightweight, easily totable alternative to the traditional muscular RV.

You can find pop ups from the likes of Forest River.  Fans particularly enjoy the so-called ROO, which is a cross between a traditional RV and a traditional popup.  Another brand is Starcraft. This company has been around since the beginning of the 20th century, and you can find dozens of Starcraft trailers (boats as well).  While Starcraft was an independent brand for a while, it is now owned by the RV super manufacturer, Jayco, Inc.

Typically, pop up campers weigh between three quarters of a ton and two tons, and they get hitched up to sedans or SUVs.  It's smart to talk to your vehicle manufacturer first to get weight and towing specs.  If you have a small car (or a motorcycle), you can invest in a mini pop up, such as the Aliner, which barely tips the scales at half a ton.

Setting up a pop up camper can be relatively easy, especially if you have someone there as your co-pilot.  You can call National Forest Services in advance to locate the best popup camper spots.  You can also tap into the thriving network of pop up camper aficionados to gear up optimally for your next road trip adventure.